There is always a risk to mother and child during the course of a pregnancy, regardless of the mother’s age, medical history or physical health. Naturally, issues in any of these areas can increase the risk of complications, but so too can the things doctors do that are often done with the best intentions.
Inducing labor is just one such practice that is done for the benefit of mother and child, but it doesn’t come without its risks. Every pregnant woman should know about these risks, especially because they could influence the decisions she makes regarding this type of medical procedure.
What is labor induction and when does it occur?
There are several types of induction methods that doctors use, typically in situations where labor is not occurring, the pregnancy is passed 40 weeks or the mother and/or child are in distress, among other reasons.
Unfortunately, each hospital has its own set of procedures in place that determine when induction will take place, meaning women have to ask their doctor ahead of time to determine if a particular hospital’s induction procedure is a right fit for a particular pregnancy.
Labor induction comes with risks
Although labor induction is considered to be a relatively safe procedure, it does not come without risks, which may include:
- Infection for mother and child
- Fetal distress
- Premature delivery
- C-Section
- Rupturing of uterus
Labor induction requires careful monitoring
Inducing labor is just one of thousands of medical procedures that requires constant monitoring from nursing staff and doctors. Inattentive staff or staff not trained to recognize warning signs will only make matters worse as their actions can easily lead to serious complications, including birth injuries and the loss of life.
Ask questions and get answers
Although pregnant women are always encouraged to ask their doctors questions prior to delivery, women should also be encouraged to ask questions after delivering as well, especially if complications arose.
A mother might ask, “What went wrong?” And in certain cases, the answer could be that someone was negligent in their duties. In such cases, talking to a lawyer is the next best step as they can answer any lingering questions, including, “How can I seek compensation for myself and my child?”